By CHOONG KWEE KIM
AFTER strapping on their new helmets, the young cyclists from SK
Francis Light in Penang rode through a track of obstacles laid under a
Cycle Safely Programme for schoolchildren.
The obstacles before them were designed to simulate the real conditions
on the road.
They navigated around tyres which represented potholes, crossed over
bump bars, circled roundabouts and negotiated curves as part of an
exercise on keeping their balance and safe cycling.
The recent event was organised by the Malaysian Volunteer Fire and
Rescue Asso- ciation (MVFRA) and Universiti Malaya’s Ma-laysian Helmet
Initiatives.
Also launched the same day was the school’s Road Safety Club with 50
members who are all cyclists.
MVFRA chairman K. Balasupramaniam said 240 helmets sponsored by private
firms would be given away to schoolchildren in Penang, including 50
helmets to SK Francis Light.
“The objective is to encourage the use of helmets among
schoolchildren.
“But we want the school authorities’ commitment to ensure that the
students wear their helmets correctly and to use them for at least one
year,” he said.
Last year, he said, 1,000 helmets were distributed to schools in
Cameron Highlands, Klang Valley and Terengganu. The programme was started
two years ago.
Datuk Keramat assemblyman Ong Thean Lye said one way to reduce the high
rate of accidents in the country was through education on safe riding with
the use of helmets.
He urged more schools to set up Road Safety Clubs.
Later, Balasupramaniam handed over the Emergency Date Card to the SK
Francis Light headmaster Chuah Eng Keat for all the 630 pupils in the
school.
The card, for recording personal and health data as well as contact
numbers, would come in handy during any emergency such as accidents or
asthma attacks.
Also invited to take part in the activities were pupils from SJK(C)
Datuk Keramat and SJK(C) Tong Sian.
